"The amount due to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) and other Central Generating Stations (CGS) as on March 2 this year is Rs 527.07 crore," Dhar told the state Assembly during Question Hour.
He said measures were taken to clear the outstanding dues and in December last year the Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Limited (MeECL) had availed the government guaranteed loan of Rs 325 crore from the Power Finance Commission (PFC).
"This was paid to NEEPCO on December 21 last year as part of the one-time settlement plan for liquidation of NEEPCO dues," he said.
In a supplementary question, opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator Jemino Mawthoh said the problem of power cuts continues despite the government's repeated attempts to bail out power companies.
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In his reply, Dhar said the inability of MePDCL to liquidate the dues was primarily due to fund constraints arising out of low electricity distribution tariff in the state, which he claimed was the lowest in the country.
He also blamed inadequate tariff subsidy provided by the government and non-realization of outstanding dues from defaulters as major obstacles in the state's power sector.
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